Lindt chocolate is made by Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG, a Swiss publicly traded company headquartered in Kilchberg, near Zurich, Switzerland, and one of the most profitable premium chocolate brands in the world.
Lindt is known for its smooth-melting chocolate, the gold foil-wrapped Lindt Lindor truffle, its Lindt Master Chocolatier positioning, and a presence in nearly every grocery and gift shop in the Western world that makes it the most accessible premium chocolate brand globally.
Lindt was founded in 1845 in Zurich, Switzerland, and Rodolphe Lindt invented the conching process in 1879 that is responsible for the silky-smooth texture that distinguishes premium chocolate from basic varieties.
Knowing who makes Lindt helps buyers understand the Swiss heritage, corporate ownership, and global manufacturing behind this widely sold premium brand.
This article covers Lindt’s founding, ownership, where its chocolate is made, what other brands it owns, and how it compares to Godiva and Ferrero.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Lindt?
Lindt & Sprüngli AG is a publicly traded Swiss company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, the Swiss stock exchange in Zurich. No single shareholder holds a controlling majority stake.
The Lindt family and the Sprüngli family no longer hold controlling ownership, with the company now fully under public ownership. Institutional investors hold the majority of shares.
Lindt & Sprüngli is one of the few major chocolate companies that remains independent rather than being absorbed into a larger food conglomerate. It has no parent company owning it, unlike Cadbury (Mondelez), Toblerone (Mondelez), or Mars (private family-owned).
When Was Lindt Founded?
The Lindt chocolate heritage traces back to 1845, when David Sprüngli-Schwarz and his son Rudolf Sprüngli-Ammann purchased a small confectionery shop in Zurich’s Old Town.
In 1879, Rodolphe Lindt of Berne invented the conching process, a method of rolling and kneading chocolate for an extended period (originally 72 hours or more) that aerates the mixture and creates a uniquely smooth texture. This was one of the most significant advances in chocolate manufacturing history.
The Sprüngli company purchased Rodolphe Lindt’s factory and recipe in 1899, combining the two names into Lindt & Sprüngli. The merged company built its reputation on the conching process and has maintained it as a core production standard ever since.
Where Is Lindt Chocolate Made?
Lindt operates multiple manufacturing facilities across Europe and North America. The primary Swiss production sites are in Kilchberg (Zurich) and Altendorf, where Lindt’s most prestigious products including the Lindor truffles are produced.
Lindt operates significant European manufacturing in Aachen, Germany, and Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France. Its acquisition of Caffarel in 1997 added an Italian production facility. Lindt also manufactures in the United States at a facility in Stratham, New Hampshire.
The US facility in New Hampshire produces Lindt and Ghirardelli products for the North American market. The full Lindt range is available at Lindt USA’s official website and at grocery, gift, and specialty retailers nationwide.
What Other Brands Does Lindt Own?
Lindt & Sprüngli has grown through strategic acquisitions to build a premium chocolate portfolio beyond its core Lindt brand. The most significant acquisition was Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in 1998, giving Lindt ownership of the iconic San Francisco-based American chocolate brand.
Lindt also acquired Russell Stover Candies in 2014 for approximately $1.4 billion, adding the largest US boxed chocolate brand to its portfolio and significantly expanding its American market presence beyond the premium tier.
Additional Lindt-owned brands include Caffarel (Italian premium chocolate), Hofbauer (Austrian), Küfferle (Austrian), and Andes Chocolate (the after-dinner mint). This broad portfolio gives Lindt coverage across premium, mid-range, and gift chocolate segments in the US market.
Lindt vs Godiva vs Ferrero: Who Makes Each?
All three are premium chocolate brands with very different ownership structures. Lindt is an independent Swiss publicly traded company. Godiva was owned by Campbell Soup until 2008, then by Turkish conglomerate Yıldız Holding (Pladis), and was split into separate entities for its US café business and international retail business. Ferrero is an Italian family-owned private company famous for Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, and Nutella, that has made significant acquisitions including Butterfinger, Nestle confectionery brands, and Fannie May.
Lindt is the most globally consistent in its premium positioning and manufacturing standards. Ferrero has become one of the largest confectionery companies in the world through aggressive acquisition. Godiva has undergone the most significant strategic pivots, evolving from a retail boutique brand toward a more accessible distribution model.
All three target the premium and gift chocolate occasion, though Lindt has the most accessible everyday retail pricing among the three.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Lindt Chocolate Is Made
Is Lindt Swiss chocolate?
Yes. Lindt originated in Switzerland in 1845 and its corporate headquarters remain in Kilchberg, near Zurich. Some Lindt products sold in the US are made at the New Hampshire facility, while others are imported from European plants. Products made in Switzerland or the EU will indicate so on the packaging.
Does Lindt own Ghirardelli?
Yes. Lindt & Sprüngli acquired Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in 1998. Ghirardelli continues to operate under its own name from San Francisco, maintaining its brand identity separately from Lindt. Both brands are made at Lindt’s North American production facility in Stratham, New Hampshire.
What is the conching process that makes Lindt smooth?
Conching is the process of continuously mixing, aerating, and rolling liquid chocolate over an extended period, originally 72 hours or more. Rodolphe Lindt invented the conching machine in 1879. The process removes bitterness and acidity from the chocolate, aerates it to develop flavor, and creates the exceptionally smooth melting texture that distinguishes Lindt from less carefully processed chocolates.
Where are Lindt Lindor truffles made?
Lindt Lindor truffles are primarily made at the Lindt manufacturing facility in Kilchberg, Switzerland, and at the Oloron-Sainte-Marie plant in France. Products sold in North America may also be made at the Stratham, New Hampshire facility. The origin is indicated on the packaging of each product.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.